Colorado Dog Bite Laws (2026)

Understanding Colorado's Dog Bite Statute

Colorado dog bite laws state that the owner of the animal, not a handler or walker, may be subject to strict liability laws if the victim of the bite was lawfully on a property and sustained serious bodily injury.

This is the case even if the animal had never shown aggressive tendencies before. In these instances, it’s not necessary to demonstrate negligence.

The One-Bite Rule vs. Strict Liability in Colorado

But when the injuries don’t fall under the category of serious, what are your options? Colorado does not have a one-bite rule, per se, but you may still be able to hold the other party responsible if they knew the dog was aggressive. This means that they knew the dog had bitten or otherwise attacked someone else before.

Generally, with the one-bite rule, you would have to show that the owner was aware that the animal was dangerous, even if you were seriously hurt. That’s not the case when dealing with strict liability. All you would have to show then is that you sustained severe injuries and that you were on a property legally.

What Qualifies as Serious Bodily Injury?

Serious bodily injury has a specific meaning when it comes to Colorado dog bite laws. The injury would have to pose a significant danger to your life, put you at risk of severe, permanent disfigurement or the loss or impairment of any bodily function. It could also apply to a fracture or burn injury of the second and third degree.

Types of Damages You Can Recover

You may be facing significant medical bills after a dog bite. The good news is that you can recover compensation for those costs through filing a claim. With help from a Colorado personal injury lawyer, you can fight for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover your medical expenses, including any future care you may need.

They also address lost wages if you had to miss work because of the injuries. If you can’t return to work in the same capacity or at all, you can also receive compensation for loss of earning potential.

Non-economic damages focus on losses that are less simple to put a price on. These include your loss of enjoyment of life and the pain and suffering you’ve experienced. In some instances, it’s also possible to receive compensation for loss of consortium. This applies if a loved one dies or is so severely injured that they cannot offer the support and companionship you used to receive.

When Dog Owners Are Not Liable

Colorado dog bite laws also describe a few scenarios in which the owner might not be liable. For example, if the victim of the bite was trespassing on private or public property, the owner may not be responsible. Other exceptions include:

• The victim provoked the dog.
• The bite occurred on a property that had signs warning of the dog.
• The dog was being used by a police officer or military personnel for official duties.
• The dog was working, such as herding, hunting or farming, on the owner’s property.
• A victim who is a veterinarian, dog groomer, professional dog trainer, dog show judge or humane agency staff.

In most other cases in Colorado, the dog’s owner will likely be held liable for the losses their animal causes.

Proving Dangerous Propensities for Full Compensation

When strict liability does not apply, such as when you may not have suffered an injury that meets the serious bodily injury threshold, you must prove that the dog’s owner was negligent. This would require showing that the owner knew the dog was dangerous and did nothing to prevent the bite.

To prove that the dog was dangerous, you will need to demonstrate that the animal attacked someone before.

Dog Owner Responsibilities to Prevent Attacks

Dog owners have a legal responsibility to keep their dogs under control. This means obeying leash laws and addressing any signs of aggressiveness in the animal with training. They must also place signs on the property that warn of the dog.

Get Legal Help for Your Dog Bite Claim

If you have suffered injuries from a dog bite, you may be entitled to compensation. To have the best chance of recovering losses, you need an attorney to assist you.

At ConsumerShield, we match consumers like you with vetted local lawyers. Complete our easy contact form for a free case review today.